Thursday, March 08, 2007
Culver Attends Groundbreaking For Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum
Museum to honor five Waterloo brothers lost in WWII
(Waterloo) – Governor Chet Culver attended the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum Groundbreaking
Ceremony today. 
The museum is a major component of Waterloo’s River Renaissance project. In 2003, a
resolution by the Iowa Legislature designated the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum as the official
repository of all tangible artifacts and archival material related to the Sullivan Brothers.
The Sullivan brothers were five Waterloo natives who died November 13, 1942 together at the same time in the same battle during World War II. They were serving aboard the USS Juneau during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, when a torpedo from a Japanese submarine struck the Juneau. Three of the four brothers: Frank, Joe and Matt died instantly. Al drowned the next day, and George survived for four or five days. The Navy named two destroyers The Sullivans to honor the brothers: The Sullivans (DDG-68) and The Sullivans (DD-537). These were the first American navy ships ever to be named after more than one person. The motto for both ships was the very motto of the Sullivan brothers, “We stick together.”
“I continue to be inspired by the story of the Sullivan brothers and the hardship their families felt
when these five great men and soldiers from Waterloo lost their lives,” said Governor Culver. “This museum
will be an anchor of growth for the city of Waterloo and will provide the citizens of this state with a place
to remember and honor them. I also want to thank all veterans from across the state for their commitment and
the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country and our state. I couldn’t be more proud of
our Iowa troops and our Iowa veterans, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Museum groundbreaking in Waterloo.”